By John S. Morlu II,Former Auditor General of the republic of Liberia
Dr. William Allen, the former CSA Director, adamantly opposed supporting the GAC’s vital efforts to persuade President Sirleaf to implement background checks for political appointees and civil servants, particularly those entering through the UNDP Token program.
This contentious refusal fueled our proactive initiative, propelled by the urgency revealed when we uncovered President Sirleaf’s dismissal of her appointed Comptroller General, Gregory Momo Johnson, for alleged corrupt practices—a dismissal strongly advocated by former Finance Minister, Dr. Antoinette Sayeh.
Shockingly, Dr. Allen then recommended Johnson as Deputy Auditor General to us, oblivious to Johnson’s prior dismissal and the exposure of a fake MBA from a notorious diploma mill. The saga continued as our audits revealed Mr. Johnson employed as a “consultant” at NASSCORP, only to find him later in a similar role with the County Development Fund.
In response to these alarming revelations, we led extensive research on individual appointees, culminating in the establishment of a robust Labor Qualification Department at the GAC. This innovative department made qualification reviews an indispensable part of audits, effectively compensating for the CSA’s reluctance to contribute to background checks. As seasoned fraud examiners, we underscored the critical role of preventing qualification fraud as a pivotal strategy in the ongoing battle against corruption. Unqualified individuals pose a heightened risk for engaging in fraudulent activities, and our measures aimed to mitigate this risk.
In our proposal to fortify accountability and transparency within Joseph Boakai’s governance, we advocate for stringent pre-appointment procedures, stipulating that:
1. Mandatory, meticulous background checks: Encompassing experience, education, and credentials must be conducted. Individuals found falsifying their resumes should face a categorical ban from government employment. Although the process incurs a cost of $25 per person, the investment is indisputably justified.
2. Rigorous cross-checks with integrity institutions: In Liberia and around the world should be undertaken to ascertain whether individuals have been implicated in their respective reports for fraud and corruption. If any such implication surfaces, these matters must be resolved before considering their appointments. In cases where resolution is unattainable, the President must refrain from nominating such individuals.
3. Anti-fraud, anti-waste, and anti-abuse of office training: All appointed officials and civil servants should undergo a 3-day program, accompanied by signing an integrity pledge.
We emphasize that thorough vetting and background checks are non-negotiable to prevent the recurrence of appointing individuals with dubious histories into pivotal government roles. Proactive prevention far outweighs the challenges of investigative endeavors post-appointment. Drawing on our best practices, where every employee undergoes comprehensive background and reference checks, we urge the Liberian government, led by GAC and CSA, to adopt these stringent measures. Such measures are not just safeguards for public resources but crucial steps toward ensuring the rightful placement of individuals, thereby mitigating the risk of gross negligence—a dire issue that has persisted for over 170 years.
It is our firm belief that this era of mismanagement should conclude with the Weah government. Joe Boakai’s administration should symbolize a fresh start—an era characterized by transparency, accountability, and an unwavering commitment to eradicating corruption from its roots.
